Fishing Report (Updated 1.15.2012)

Catfish:  Good to very good.  Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that this is traditionally a good time of year for catching big fish, and true to form there have been some outstanding days recently.  Some big fish have been caught free line drifting and Santee-style drifting, but anchoring has been the most effective way to catch a trophy.  35-75 feet has been a general depth range, and some days the fish will get in a very narrow band when fishing at any other depth can be a waste of time.  Captain Chris’ best day of the winter came fishing in 65-75 feet, when his boat caught 20 fish that weighed an impressive 360 pounds!  Finding schools of bait balls on your depth finder is important, but finding bait balls that are smaller and more broken up (meaning fish are feeding on them) is more important.  A variety of bottom structure has been productive, including deep flats, vertical ledges and everything in between.  Gizzard shad, white perch, and crappie have all been good baits.  To read more about catching trophy catfish on Lake Monticello with Captain Chris Simpson visit: http://www.scfishingreport.com/Pages/sc_message_boards/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=206&t=2868.

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